Every Pet Owner should have a Pet First Aid Kit

I just learned that April is pet first aid awareness month. I started to think about what I could do be prepared if one of our fur kids needed some basic first aid.  I took a look in our first aid kit and quickly saw that it came up short.

Everyone who owns a pet should have a first aid kit specifically for their pet. Now is the time to get it ready, before there is an emergency. Some suggest having one for home and one for traveling. One of the best places to store it would be with your human family’s kit. Here is a basic checklist you can use to create one.

• The phone numbers for your family’s veterinarian, the closet emergency veterinarian, and Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435)
• Gauze, non-stick bandages (Telfa pads), and adhesive bandage tape, cotton balls, and ace bandage to dress wounds
• Self-activating hot packs and self-activating cold packs
• Scissors
• Latex-free gloves
• Hydrogen peroxide (3%) to help clean and treat wounds.  It can also be used to induce vomiting, but do not do this without consulting a vet or Animal Poison Control
• Saline solution to flush out eyes and it can also be used to clean wounds
• Tweezers to help remove splinters and other foreign objects
• Tic removal tool
• Styptic to help stop bleeding on small wounds
• Toenail trimmer to trim torn nails
• Large eye dropper to flush wounds or administer fluids by mouth.
• Large bottle of water to help hydrate your pet
• Towels for use as a blanket or extra bandages
• Small flashlight and extra batteries to look for injuries in mouth or blockage in their throat
• A muzzle because even the most gentle pet can become aggressive due to shock or pain
• An e-collar to prevent them from licking or biting a wound.  You can by soft version for easier storage.
• Anything that your pet might need to meet their special health issues

Once you have all of your supplies they can be easily stored in a plastic tub.  I also recommend becoming familiar with how to use the supplies of your first aid kit.  In our techno friendly word there are a few smartphone apps available. The one most highly recommend is from Jive Media’s Pet First Aid available both for iPhones and Android phones.  To take being prepared to the next level take a pet first aid class.  The American Red Cross offers pet first aid training, check their website (Redcross.org) to find a class near you.

Be prepared before the emergency happens, so you and your fur kids can get care quickly.  Please also make sure to follow up with your veterinarian.